Inert Object for Dry Fire Practice

ABSTRACT

An inert ammunition cartridge for dry fire practice, comprising an elongated body, the body having a forward end, the body having a rear end opposite the forward end, the body having an intermediate cylinder portion between the rear and forward ends, and a flag, wherein the forward end is conically shaped, wherein the rear end is flat, and wherein the flag extends outwardly from the intermediate cylinder portion of the body. The inert ammunition cartridge is any vibrant color that contrasts with black or natural colors typically used for firearms and is made up of a resilient or elastomeric material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/253,803 filed Oct. 8, 2021, titled “Inert Object for Dry Fire Practice,” and the subject matter thereof is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to dry firing apparatuses for firearms, and more specifically to dry firing apparatuses for striker fired firearms.

BACKGROUND ART

Dry fire of firearms is frequently used to develop trigger control without expending ammunition or dealing with the firearm's recoil. This can be accomplished with dummy rounds, which can be time consuming, having to reload the magazine. Additionally, many of the prior art dry fire apparatuses do not allow for visual indication to easily show to the shooter and others that there is an inert object in the firearm and not live ammunition.

Some of the prior art apparatuses act by preventing the hammer from contacting the firing pin, such as U.S. Pat. App. No. 2017/0146311A1 to Tucker. Other prior art apparatuses allow for dry firing of a firearm by using a cartridge with the same caliber and weight as a live cartridge, such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,405,308 to Jack and U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,350 to Seminiano, although these apparatuses do not provide visual indication of the presence of the inert cartridge and are complex devices.

Some prior art apparatuses require a firearm to be modified to use the dry firing apparatus, which is done during the initial manufacture of the firearm, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,570 to Browning. Other prior art apparatuses require modification to be made to a standard firearm to allow for the dry fire apparatus to function, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,081 to Izumi.

Therefore, there is a need for an easy to use, near universal use/fit, one piece, low cost device that allows for visual indication during dry fire practice. The prior art invention overcomes the shortcoming contained in the prior art by providing a such a device that provides all of those features.

Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or element will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side cutaway partial view of a firearm;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the inert cartridge of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a firearm with the inert cartridge in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described herein. The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. To avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known system configurations, and process steps are not disclosed in detail. The figures illustrating embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing figures.

Alternate embodiments have been included throughout, and the order of such are not intended to have any other significance or provide limitations for the present invention.

For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the present apparatus, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side”, “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane, as shown in the figures. The term “on” means that there is direct contact among elements.

The present invention discloses an inert object/device for dry fire practice. The inert ammunition cartridge for dry fire practice of the present invention comprises: an elongated body; the body having a forward end; the body having a rear end opposite the forward end; the body having an intermediate cylinder portion between the rear and forward ends; and a flag; wherein the forward end is conically shaped; wherein the rear end is flat; and wherein the flag extends outwardly from the intermediate cylinder portion of the body.

The inert object prevents requirement of live ammunition to be present in the chamber during dry fire practice, while providing visual indication. The device allows trigger of striker fired firearms to reset during dry fire practice by giving slight offset to the slide from the closed position. This is accomplished by keeping the action out of battery sufficiently to allow the trigger bar and cruciform continuously engage the sear engagement surface of the firing pin without releasing the firing pin by insertion of an extended cartridge like device into the chamber of the firearm. The trigger can be manipulated repeatedly without having to cycle the slide, reinforcing proper grip and visual tracking of the sights/optics.

The primary function of device is to slightly offset the slide from the closed position on some designs of striker fired firearms to allow trigger reset during dry fire practice. This is accomplished by keeping the action out of battery sufficiently to allow the trigger bar and cruciform to continuously engage the sear engagement surface of the firing pin without releasing the firing pin by insertion of an extended cartridge like device into the chamber of the firearm. This allows the trigger to be manipulated repeatedly without having to cycle the slide, reinforcing proper grip and visual tracking of the sights/optics while manipulating the trigger.

The supporting function of the device is to occupy the firearm's chamber with an inert object to prevent live ammunition to be present in the chamber during dry fire practice, while providing visual indication.

FIG. 1 shows a side cutaway partial view of firearm 101, which is a striker fired pistol. The following parts of the firearm are shown as numbered: spacer sleeve 102, ejector 103, striker spring 104, spring cups 105, striker 106, slide 107, striker safety 108, extractor 109, barrel 110, recoil rod 111, locking block 112, trigger 113, trigger safety 114, receiver 115, magazine 116, connector 117, trigger spring 118, trigger bar 119, sear and nose 120, and casing 121. These parts are all prior art parts that are present in most, if not all, striker fired firearms.

In order to fire firearm 101, the user presses trigger 113. This causes striker 106 to make forceful contact with casing 121. The spent cartridge casing 121 is extracted and ejected by extractor 109 and ejector 103 as the slide 107 moves rearwards under recoil. The striker 106 is cocked by the slide 107 movement, and a new round from the magazine 116 is pushed into the barrel 110 when the slide 107 returns forward under spring tension.

Extractor 109 is a small hook that catches the rim of casing 121 as slide 107 moves to the rear of firearm 101, pulling the casing 121 from barrel 110. Ejector 103 deflects the spent casing 121 causing the casing 121 to be ejected from firearm 101, allowing for another cartridge to be chambered and fired.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of inert cartridge 201 of the present invention. Inert cartridge 201 comprises an elongated body that is made up of a rear end 206, a forward end 205, an intermediate cylinder portion 207, and flag 203. Flag 203 extends outwardly from the inert cartridge 201. Forward ridge 204 and rear ridge 202 are purely decorative and have no purpose. Inert cartridge 201 can be smooth without forward ridge 204 and/or rear ridge 202 and achieve the desired result. Forward end 205 is conically shaped like a bullet, while rear end 206 is flat. Intermediate cylinder portion 207 is located between rear end 206 and forward end 205. The size of inert cartridge 201 is such that it can fit into the chamber of a firearm.

In the preferred embodiment, rear end 206, forward end 205, intermediate cylinder portion 207, and flag 203 are all one solid piece.

Flag 203 is at a specific distance along the center axis of inert cartridge 201. If flag 203 is too far back on the inert cartridge 201 it will interfere with extractor 109, and if flag 203 is too far forward on the inert cartridge 201 the inert cartridge 201 will not be able to properly chamber in a firearm.

Inert cartridge 201 is comprised of one solid piece of an elastomeric material or other resilient material that achieves the desired result.

Inert cartridge 201 is orange, or any vibrant color that contrasts with black or natural colors typically used for firearms. A bright color allows for visual indication of the presence of inert cartridge 201 in firearm 101.

The size of inert cartridge 201 and the placement of flag 203 is such that is provides just enough displacement of slide 107 when placed in a firearm, keeping it out of battery just enough to allow the trigger 113 to reset.

Flag 203 may comprise any shape to provide visual indication of the presence of inert cartridge 201 in firearm 101. Flag 203 extends outward from the chamber of firearm 101 and is visible when inert cartridge 201 is chambered.

The location of flag 203 on the inert cartridge 201 is such that it does not interfere with the extractor of a firearm and allows the inert cartridge 201 to properly chamber when placed in the chamber of a firearm.

Inert cartridge 201 is inserted in chamber of firearm 101. When trigger 113 of firearm 101 is pulled, striker 106 makes contact with the rear end 206 of inert cartridge 201. Inert cartridge 201 is non-energetic and therefore does not result in firing of projectile or energetic function of firearm's semi-automatic reloading process. Trigger 113 and slide 107 reset and allow for trigger 113 to be pulled again without further action by the user due to inert cartridge 201 keeping slide 107 slightly out of battery.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the circumference of the elongated body of the inert cartridge 201 tapers from the rear end 206 toward the forward end 205.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the rear end 206, forward end 205, and intermediate cylinder portion 207 are all separate pieces, which are connected to form inert cartridge 201. When rear end 206, forward end 205, and intermediate cylinder portion 207 are all separate pieces, they may be composed of different materials.

In one embodiment of the present invention, forward end 205 is blunted.

In one embodiment of the present invention, rear end 206 and forward end 205 are smaller circumferences than intermediate cylinder portion 207.

The best mode for carrying out the invention has been described herein. The previous embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the previous description, numerous specific details and examples are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details and specific examples. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters previously set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An inert ammunition cartridge for dry fire practice, comprising: an elongated body; the body having a forward end; the body having a rear end opposite the forward end; the body having an intermediate cylinder portion between the rear and forward ends; and a flag; wherein the forward end is conically shaped; wherein the rear end is flat; and wherein the flag extends outwardly from the intermediate cylinder portion of the body.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein: the inert ammunition cartridge is any vibrant color that contrasts with black or natural colors typically used for firearms.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein: the inert ammunition cartridge is a resilient material.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein: the inert ammunition cartridge is an elastomeric material.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein; the inert ammunition cartridge is one piece.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein; the conically shaped forward end is blunted.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein; the circumference of the elongated body of the inert ammunition cartridge tapers from the rear end toward the forward end.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein: the flag comprises a visual indicator.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein: the inert ammunition cartridge is sized to fit in the chamber of a firearm.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein: the size of the elongated body and the placement of the flag is such that is provides just enough displacement of slide when placed in a firearm, keeping it out of battery just enough to allow the trigger to reset
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein: the placement of the flag on the body is such that it does not interfere with the extractor of a firearm and allows the inert ammunition cartridge to properly chamber when placed in the chamber of a firearm.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein: the forward end, the rear end, the intermediate cylinder, and the flag portion are separate pieces.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein: the forward end, the rear end, the intermediate cylinder, and the flag portion are connected.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein: the rear end is a resilient material.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein: the rear end is an elastomeric material.
 16. An inert ammunition cartridge for dry fire practice, comprising: an elongated body; the body having a forward end; the body having a rear end opposite the forward end; the body having an intermediate cylinder portion between the rear and forward ends; and a flag; wherein the forward end is conically shaped; wherein the rear end is flat; wherein the flag extends outwardly from the rear end; and wherein the diameter of the intermediate cylinder portion is greater than the diameter of the forward end and rear end.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein; the inert ammunition cartridge is one piece.
 18. The device of claim 16, wherein: the forward end, the rear end, the intermediate cylinder portion, and the flag are separate pieces.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein: the forward end, the rear end, the intermediate cylinder, and the flag portion are connected.
 20. An inert ammunition cartridge for dry fire practice, comprising: an elongated body; the body having a forward end; the body having a rear end opposite the forward end; the body having an intermediate cylinder portion between the rear and forward ends; and a flag; wherein the forward end is conically shaped; wherein the rear end is flat; wherein the flag comprises a flexible material that extends outwardly from the rear end; and wherein the diameter of the rear end is greater than the diameter of the forward end. 